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Sprots Briefs

■ Basketball
Jayson Williams in court
Former NBA star Jayson Williams can be retried on a reckless manslaughter charge stemming from the shooting death of a hired driver at the player's estate, an appeals court in Newark, New Jersey ruled on Friday. The former New Jersey Nets star had sought to avoid a second trial, contending that it would be double jeopardy. Williams, 38, has remained free on bail since his April 30, 2004 conviction on four charges stemming from a failed attempt to cover up the 2002 fatal shooting at the mansion he owned. The jury acquitted Williams of the most serious offense, aggravated manslaughter, but deadlocked on the charge of reckless manslaughter. Williams' spokeswoman, Judy Smith, said Friday that defense lawyers plan to appeal the ruling. Lawyers for both sides have been gagged by the trial judge. Prosecutor Steven C. Lember, who tried the case, did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Prosecutors said Williams, who retired from the Nets in 2000, was handling the gun recklessly when it went off and killed Costas "Gus" Christofi, 55.

■ Horse Racing
Velazquez out of Derby
John Velazquez will miss the Kentucky Derby with a broken shoulder blade and cracked ribs and could be out for as long as five months. Velazquez, who suffered the injuries during a spill at Keeneland, was set to ride Bluegrass Cat in the Derby in two weeks. Owners of the 3-year-old colt were looking for another rider. Velazquez, one of the US' top jockeys who rides regularly for trainer Todd Pletcher, was injured Thursday after riding Up an Octave to victory in the Forerunner Stakes. The colt collapsed and rolled over the rider shortly after crossing the finish line. Up an Octave was euthanized. Casner said it was too early to speculate on who might replace Velazquez, but WinStar racing manager Elliott Walden said Ramon Dominguez was a possibility.

■ Soccer
Zidane may soon retire
Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane may announce that he will retire from professional soccer after the World Cup at a press conference next week, Spanish news reports said Saturday. Zidane, who has one year left on his contract at Real Madrid, had already said he would end his career before 2007 without being more specific. "Zidane may announce on Wednesday his retirement," sports daily Marca said Saturday. "The most spectacular player that the Bernabeu stadium has seen in the last years is ready to say goodbye." Zidane joined Real Madrid from Italian club Juventus in 2001. Zidane, who helped France win the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, was named FIFA player of the year three times -- in 1998, 2000 and 2003.

■ Rugby
Brumbies beat Hurricanes
The ACT Brumbies consolidated their semifinal playoff chances in rugby's Super 14 competition in Canberra, Australia yesterday, beating the third-place Wellington Hurricanes 21-16. The win left the Brumbies with 32 points in fourth place, two behind the Hurricanes. The Canterbury Crusaders lead the competition with 42 points while the New South Wales Waratahs, who had a weekend bye, are in second place with 38 points. The ACT now has a five-point buffer over fifth-place Waikato with three matches to play in the round-robin. The Brumbies lost Stephen Larkham and Matt Giteau. Giteau accepted a multi-million-dollar deal to play with Western Force beginning next season.


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